THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS

READ SOME REALLY AMAZING NEWS!!!! After a rather depressing earlier post, what better pick-me-up than some incredible - goat - news! As some of you may know, I am not just a little bit obsessed with goats. Mine are my four legged children. Sadly because of the drought my 60 are now 6. I've had to sell the majority, which also means that a good portion of our homesteading livelihood has also disappeared with the rains. Okay, so that is depressing and I promised amazing news.... Keep reading!

Earlier this year I ran a raffle to raise funds for the winter feed for my precious few goats. I was blown away by the response. Last week I started another raffle. Once again I am touched by the compassion and generosity of strangers. The economy in South Africa is not good. And others in the country are also affected by the adverse weather. But people I've never met are buying tickets to help my goats. I have also had one or two making small donations, and asking for no prize, in return. I am speechless at the open hand of so many.

Over this weekend we were amazed when the rain started. It was a mere 6ml but the thirsty land has sucked it up. Every drop counts and hopefully the water level in our boerholes will increase. We've applied numerous times to the government for drought relief. And been denied. As have most farmers. Then I was contacted by a private person who is part of a drought relief drive to raise funds and food to bring to our area. Last week a British woman, living in America, came to interview us. She is part of a research group investigating the drought riddled areas, and trying to find solutions. I don't know that this will physically feed our livestock but at least people are aware and active. She asked us if we would consider, or be forced to sell. My husband answered that we had considered it. However the reality is that we would need to sell because of the drought, but who would by a homestead "because of the drought". It is a quandary we are in. And yet we are still here!

Later that day we received video footage that is going viral. Truckloads of food have arrived in the area for the desperate farmers for their animals. We are blown away by the generosity of our fellow South African farmers. How grateful we are that, though we personally may not benefit, there are many farms and homesteads that are receiving the life giving necessities. A thank you simply doesn't seem enough.